"Have you ever noticed how conversations change depending on who's at the dinner table? Last month, I found myself at two very different social gatherings within the same week. The first was a barbecue with old friends from my neighborhood growing up outside Manchester. The second was a work event at a private members' club in Mayfair. What struck me wasn't just the obvious differences in setting. It was how differently parents talked about their children."
"Remember those "My Child Is an Honor Student" bumper stickers? You'll find them in suburban school parking lots, not outside elite prep schools. Middle-class parents often share their children's academic achievements openly. They'll mention SAT scores at neighborhood gatherings, post report cards on Facebook, and celebrate every A+ with extended family. For many, these achievements represent validation that their children are on track for success."
Conversations at different social gatherings reveal class-based differences in how parents discuss their children. At casual neighborhood barbecues, parents openly share detailed achievements and celebrate grades, test scores, and extracurricular successes. In elite private-club settings, parents tend to speak in vague terms, avoid specific grades, and treat accomplishments as private family matters. Middle-class public celebration often serves as validation that children are on track for success. Upper-class reticence reflects an unspoken rule against appearing boastful. These contrasting norms show that class shapes both what parents value and how they publicly express those values.
Read at Silicon Canals
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